EXPERIMENT 7

WHEEL AND AXLE APPARATUS

1.0 Objective
To find the relationship between angular rotation and the tangential movement of the
shaft and hence to confirm that v = r

2.0 Introduction
In this experiment, a wall mounted shafts with different radius is used in finding the
relation between the angular motions of the wheel with the displacement of the connected
weight at the end of the string.

3.0 Apparatus
Weight hanger,axle,epoxy coated frames,locking pin,shaft,string chord.

3.0 Theory
Relation Between Linear and Angular Velocity

a. Velocity

Referring to below graph, suppose P to be the position of the point at time t

and P1 , that at time t+ t , the rectangular coordinates of P and P1, being x, y

and x+ x , y+ y respectively. Let the distance PP1 be donated by s .

Then since velocity is defined as the rate of displacement, the limiting value of
the ratio s/t , when t becomes very small, will be the velocity of the
point. Thus

Since for each revolution turned the angle is 2rad, then the number of radians turned
through per second is 2 n. This is the angular speed. So we can write

In SI units angular acceleration is measured in rad/s2.

If the angular acceleration is uniform, then when angular speed changes

from 1 to 2in time t, its magnitude is

Consider again a point X moving round a circle, radius r, at uniform speed v.

Since the direction of motion is changing form instant to instant, the velocity is
changing and hence point X has an acceleration.

Let AB represent the velocity vector when X is at point Q and AC represent the
velocity vector when X is at point P, as shown in Figure 1.8. The velocity vectors at points Q
and P are tangential to the circle of motion, sides AB and AC are parallel to these vectors.
 Figure 1.8: Angular Acceleration

The line BC represents the change in velocity as the point moves from Q to P.

The average acceleration of P is

length of arc QP = r

So

time to travel from Q to P = r / v

Also
To find the acceleration of P at Q, let the angle /2 tend to zero, so

and the acceleration is given by

When , the direction of BC approaches the direction of QO, that is, towards the
centre of the circle.

Hence, the acceleration of a point moving round a circle with radius r, at constant
speed v is v2/r towards the centre of the circle.
5.0 Procedure

i. The diameter of all the shaft was measured. It is then recorded in the table
provided.
ii. The 3 weight hangers were connected onto the strings so that all 3 weight
hangers were in equal position.
iii. The distance from the floor level until the end of the hanger was measured as,
h. The 3 distances were ensured are equal.
iv. The locking pin were removed the hangers was lifted up by rotating the disc
with 1 revolution.
v. After 1 revolution the handle was held with the locking pin. The travelled
distance for all 3 hangers was measured and recorded as h1, h2 and h3 as
shown in the table below.
vi. Step 3 and 4 were repeated with another new revolution until 3 revolution.
vii. The distance travelled, S, were calculated for all hangers.
viii. The graph of distance travelled was plotted, S versus number of revolution.
ix. The angular velocity for the hanger were calculated theoretically and
experimentally (assume 1 revolution take 1 second). The results obtained was
compared.
6.0 Result

Shaft Diameter

1 2 3 Average
Shaft 1 (mm) 76.1 76.2 76.1 76.1
Shaft 2 (mm) 50.3 50.4 50.2 50.3
Shaft 3 (mm) 25.5 25.3 25.5 25.4

Distance Travelled

Hanger Initial Final height, hf (mm) Distance travel, S (mm)

height, 1 rev, h1 2 rev, h2 3 rev, h3 1 rev, S1 2 rev, S2 3 rev, S3
ho (mm)
1 511 764 1004 1240 253 493 729
2 431 603 761 920 172 330 489
3 318 404 484 570 86 166 252
Distance travelled = final height, hf initial height, ho
Calculation of angular velocity for the hanger theoretically and experimentally
(assume 1 revolution take 1 second)

Theoretically
v =r
 =v /r
v =ds /1

So that 1 rev = ds /1
2 rev = 2(ds/1)
3 rev = 3(ds/1)

All the answer multiple with 6.25 because changing to radian

, angular velocity

1 rev , S1 2 rev , S2 3 rev , S3

Shaft 1 (mm) 1425.56 5903.2 13282.2
Shaft 2 (mm) 1004.8 3956.4 8949
Shaft 3 (mm) 483.56 1595.12 4483.92

Experimental
 = rev/time = 2 /1

= rev(rad)/time
= 2 (rev)/1
So that 1 rev = 2 (rev)/1
2 rev = 2(2 (rev)/1)
3 rev = 3(2 (rev)/1)

, angular velocity

1 rev , S1 2 rev , S2 3 rev , S3

Shaft 1 (mm) 1462.20 5906.19 13288.94
Shaft 2 (mm) 1005.31 3958.41 8953.54
Shaft 3 (mm) 483.81 1595.93 4486.19